The four UCT rowers selected for South Africa’s inaugural Coastal and Beach Sprint Rowing national testing and selection camp are clockwise Ziyanda Gwamanda, Matthys Du Plooy, Frances Hill, and women's team captain Mackenzie Lamond.
Image: UCT
Four student-athletes from the University of Cape Town (UCT) have been selected for South Africa’s inaugural Coastal and Beach Sprint Rowing national testing and selection camp, launching them onto the pathway to international representation.
Women’s team captain Mackenzie Lamond, Ziyanda Gwamanda, Frances Hill, and men’s rower Matthys Du Plooy are currently attending the mandatory national camp in KuGompo, which runs until 26 June. The intensive five-day programme forms the bedrock of the selection process for athletes aiming to represent South Africa at the highest international levels.
Following the conclusion of the camp, the UCT contingent will immediately transition to top-tier competition at the Eastern Cape Beach Sprint event, held at Kings Beach in Gqeberha on 27 and 28 June. UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela praised the rowers.
“Their selection is another milestone for the UCT Rowing Club that has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, producing athletes and coaches who continue to excel on national and international stages,” he said.
National sporting officials have also acknowledged the vital role the university plays in anchoring the South African squad. Kate Godfrey, President of the South African Coastal Rowing Association, commended the UCT contingent.
“The coachability, ability to work at the required level, resilience and tenacity demonstrated by coaches and rowers from UCT give them attributes that you look for in an athlete that aims to represent their country internationally and at the Olympics. But more than that, they bring joy and teamwork, helping to create a culture where athletes are supported and equal opportunity is a given,” she said.
For Lamond, who is attending the national training camp for a second consecutive year, the selection is the culmination of months of disciplined early mornings on the water and gruelling strength work.
“Being selected for the national camp is a tremendous honour, both personally and for the UCT Rowing Club,” Lamond said.
“As captain of the women’s team, I see this selection as a reflection of the hard work, dedication and culture of excellence that our athletes and coaches have built and that we can transfer onto ocean rowing.”
She expressed her eagerness to learn from the country’s top rowers, adding: “I hope to continue improving as an athlete, make the most of the experience offered by the national programme, and represent both UCT and South Africa to the best of my ability.”
The club’s robust development pipeline is further bolstered by its alumni network, which recently included a 50 000 pound donation from Ian Wyrley-Birch for two new boats. With three alumni joining the four current students at the national training grounds, UCT Rowing Club President Griffin Stone congratulated the athletes.
“Their selection is recognition of the effort they have invested and reflects the standard of rowing at UCT. We wish them every success as they take this next step in their rowing careers.”
As the athletes prepare to test themselves against the country’s best, their inclusion reinforces UCT’s reputation for developing high-performance student-athletes capable of competing on the global stage.